BikeThiefNYC

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/13/opinion/bike-thief.html?_r=3

 

would anyone stop you?

 

i would.

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Permalink Reply by Vilda on March 13, 2012 at 5:14am

Saw this get tweeted out this morning. F'ed for sure, but not the first vid of it's kind. Sux.

Permalink Reply by ID on March 13, 2012 at 6:18am

When the video started I felt like I would probably say something if I saw that occurring.

But then my city sense kicked in. Would any of us say anything to someone carrying a 3.5 foot long crow bar or an angle grinder? Sure, you could call the cops, but as the video showed, he was gone in a matter of minutes. If I saw anyone walking down the street or on the L openly sporting a crow bar or a power tool, I'd probably move away before I went inquiring about what they were doing or planning to do.

Permalink Reply by igz on March 13, 2012 at 6:31am

a simple 'hey, what the fuck are you doing?' may offer pause and reluctance to proceed, a possible extra minute for cops to get there.

its our ambivalence that is their greatest tool.

Permalink Reply by igz on March 13, 2012 at 6:35am

ive seen some other vids like this, probably even here on the chainlink. i love when people come up and offer to help.

Gabe said:

Saw this get tweeted out this morning. F'ed for sure, but not the first vid of it's kind. Sux.

Permalink Reply by Melanie K on March 13, 2012 at 6:56am

I would say something, probably along the lines of "Hey, why don't I call the police to help you unlock your bike?"  I also would maintain a decent distance from the idiot wielding a tool. Of course, it is still taking a chance, and I probably wouldn't do it if it was a totally deserted street corner, but from what I see of these videos, most times there are many people walking by.   What I hate are the people sort of stopping and staring, then walking away. I know the thief would be gone by the time they called the cops, but at least they could try to call.  Just shows why bike thieves are so successful. It really does suck.

Permalink Reply by Gene Tenner on March 13, 2012 at 7:33am

A quick cellphone photo, a call to the police and then "wtf."

Permalink Reply by Vilda on March 13, 2012 at 11:34am

Me and Ian K. were talking about how on an expressway you are less likely to get help than if you are on rural route 5 (for example). Same principle. Everyone is "to busy" and thinks someone else will help or do something. When, in fact, no one will do anything. And to the Ian above, if you have no experience with conflict than yes "city sense" will keep you safe. But that seems like an excuse. Thieves are cowards, and when given the chance to run, they will. No in is asking people to make arrests, simply to ask questions. Perhaps buy time, like iggi points out. You can call 911 at the minimum but sadly I'd have to say they aren't coming.

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on March 13, 2012 at 12:10pm

The Kitty Genovese effect.

Gabe said:

Me and Ian K. were talking about how on an expressway you are less likely to get help than if you are on rural route 5 (for example). Same principle. Everyone is "to busy" and thinks someone else will help or do something. When, in fact, no one will do anything.

[snip]

Permalink Reply by Vilda on March 14, 2012 at 2:59am

Having in lived in Queens before moving to the Bronx I can assure you that some if not all of the 38 people were not law abiding or respectable. But yeah, well known story. 

Permalink Reply by joey Luna on March 14, 2012 at 4:01am

WOW! That sucks! And I just bought ANOTHER new bike just yesterday $1100.00.

 In 12yrs of living in Chicago, i've had 4 expensive bikes stolen.

 GOD HELP THE JACKASS who tries to steal this one.

I would say something in a single heart beat! Folks should speak up, act even by snapping a

pic or video of the crime in progress.

Permalink Reply by Fran Kondorf on March 14, 2012 at 6:19am

  Engage, distract, etc. It takes them away from the act at hand and buys some time.

 If it's an obvious crime in progress, loudly getting others involved would be effective as well.

 And to Joey; 4?! That sucks, Bro.

 

 

Permalink Reply by Zoetrope on March 18, 2012 at 7:40am

Saw this linked through Twitter today.

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/03/why-wont-people-sto...

I was in Copenhagen last year, where I saw a number of bikes leaning on buildings, unlocked. Then I saw more, just tossed over on the grass. I asked a Dane what the deal was. Nobody really wanted the bikes, it turns out, because everyone that wanted one already had one. Or had access to one, through the city's bike-share system. No bike thief could make any serious money selling bikes. Besides, income equality was much greater in Denmark, and the have-nots were not nearly as destitute or desperate as those in a city like New York. The incentive for organized bike-stealing was simply not there.

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